Published on 10/13/2026
A designer routes a 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi radio to a panel antenna with 0.5 m of RG316 and the link budget comes up 2 dB short. The datasheet said RG316 is good to 3 GHz, so was the cable a bad choice, or was the datasheet figure never a hard limit? Both answers are partly true, and the difference matters when you pick a cable for 5G, 6 GHz Wi-Fi or GPS.
Short answer: RG316 is usually rated to 3 GHz by cable makers, works in practice to about 6 GHz with a good SMA assembly, and can be pushed to 12 GHz only for very short runs where loss is acceptable. There is no cliff. The limit is loss and connector performance, not the cable physically stopping.
This guide gives the numbers, shows where the 3 GHz rating comes from, and explains what actually limits RG316 at higher frequency. For the cable itself, see our RG316 Coaxial Cable specs and assembly guide on this blog.
On This Page
Three different numbers get called the "maximum frequency" of RG316. They are not the same thing.
| Number | Typical value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Datasheet rating | DC to 3 GHz | Frequency where the maker guarantees attenuation and impedance |
| Practical use with SMA | Up to about 6 GHz | VSWR and loss still acceptable for short runs |
| Stretch use | Up to about 12 GHz | Loss above 3 dB/m, only for jumpers under 0.3 m |
| Moding cutoff (calculated) | About 65 GHz | Not the limiting factor at any normal frequency |
Key idea: RG316 does not stop working at 3 GHz. The rating is a conservative spec point. Above it, loss climbs with the square root of frequency and the connector becomes the weak link before the cable does.
RG316 (MIL-C-17 type, M17/113-RG316) uses a 7-strand silver-plated copper-clad steel center conductor (about 0.51 mm), a solid PTFE dielectric of about 1.52 mm OD (dielectric constant near 2.1), a silver-plated copper braid and an FEP jacket of about 2.5 mm OD. Characteristic impedance is 50 ohm.
Manufacturers publish attenuation tables up to a round number. For RG316 that is usually 3 GHz, sometimes 6 GHz. The number reflects the test range and the connectors used for qualification, not a physical break point.
The theoretical upper limit comes from the first higher-order mode (TE11) in the coax. Using fc = 2c / (pi x (D + d) x sqrt(er)) with D = 1.52 mm, d = 0.51 mm and er = 2.1 gives roughly 65 GHz. Long before that, conductor loss makes the cable useless for most links.
Attenuation in a small coax scales roughly with the square root of frequency (skin effect) plus a smaller term from dielectric loss. Typical RG316 figures per meter:
| Frequency | Attenuation (approx. dB/m) | Loss on 0.5 m |
|---|---|---|
| 100 MHz | 0.3 | 0.15 dB |
| 1 GHz | 0.9 | 0.45 dB |
| 2.4 GHz | 1.4 | 0.7 dB |
| 3 GHz | 1.6 | 0.8 dB |
| 5.8 GHz | 2.2 | 1.1 dB |
| 6 GHz | 2.3 | 1.15 dB |
| 10 GHz | 3.0 | 1.5 dB |
These are typical values and vary by maker by 10 to 15 percent, so treat them as planning numbers and check your supplier's datasheet. If you need exact loss for a link, see our insertion loss, return loss and VSWR guide.
A cable assembly is only as good as its worst part. Typical SMA connectors crimped on RG316 hold VSWR below 1.3:1 to about 6 GHz. Above that, the crimp transition and the dielectric step inside the connector start to add reflections.
| Connector on RG316 | Practical frequency | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| SMA crimp | DC to 6 GHz | Standard, cheap, repeatable |
| SMA solder or captivated contact | DC to 12 GHz | Better VSWR, higher assembly cost |
| MMCX / MCX | DC to 6 GHz | Small, loss at the junction |
| BNC (50 ohm) | DC to 4 GHz | Not for microwave use |
| SMB | DC to 4 GHz | Snap-on, poor above 4 GHz |
Sweep it before you build
Every SigmaRF assembly is VNA-swept for VSWR and insertion loss before shipment. Tell us your band and we will quote the right cable.
Talk to an EngineerIf loss at your frequency is more than your link budget allows, there are three standard steps:
Option 01
RG402 semi-rigid (0.141 in)
Usable to 18 GHz with far lower loss, but cannot flex repeatedly.
Option 02
Flexible low-loss assemblies
Larger flexible coax lowers loss at 6 GHz and above but needs larger connectors.
Option 03
Shorten the run
Halving the length halves the loss in dB. Often the cheapest fix.
For the trade-offs between cable families, see our coaxial cable selection guide and the RF cable assembly design guide.
Mistakes that cost link budget
What is the maximum frequency of RG316 cable?
The usual datasheet rating is 3 GHz. In practice it works to about 6 GHz with good SMA connectors, and up to 12 GHz for short jumpers where higher loss is acceptable.
Can RG316 be used at 5.8 GHz?
Yes, for short runs. Expect about 2.2 dB/m of loss plus connector loss, so a 0.3 to 0.5 m jumper costs roughly 1 dB.
Can RG316 be used for 5G sub-6 GHz?
Yes. Bands up to 6 GHz (n77, n78, n79 up to 5 GHz) are within practical range for short internal jumpers.
Is RG316 good for 10 GHz?
Only for very short assemblies. Loss is about 3 dB/m and connector VSWR rises. Semi-rigid RG402 is a better choice.
Does RG316 work for GPS and Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz?
Yes. At 1.575 GHz and 2.4 GHz loss is about 1.1 to 1.4 dB/m, and it is the most common pigtail cable for those bands.
What is the difference between RG316 and RG316D?
RG316D adds a second braid layer for better shielding. Frequency rating and loss are almost the same.
Treat 3 GHz as the safe rating, 6 GHz as the working limit with good connectors, and 12 GHz as a short-jumper stretch. Past those points, change cable or shorten the run.
SigmaRF builds RG316 assemblies with SMA, MMCX, TNC and other connectors in India (Vadodara) volume and USA (Cleveland area) precision facilities, with lead times as short as 2 days.
Build your RG316 assembly
Standard parts ship fast. Custom lengths and connectors are swept on a VNA before they leave.
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